Glaiza de Castro got almost stuck in Northern Island, where her fiance David Rainey lives.
The GMA-7 actress flew in December 2020, and stayed there for "more than month."
During this time, a new variant of the coronavirus emerged in the U.K.—which is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
In response to this health threat, the Philippines imposed a travel ban on the U.K.
"Medyo nag-panic ako doon," the Kapuso star told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and the press at the virtual conference for All Out Sundays on January 28, 2021.
Her original plan was to travel back to Manila with David, but given the stricter travel protocols, Glaiza focused on making it back home.
She continued, "Confident ako kasi na makakauwi ako ng Philippines kasi Filipino ako, e. Anuman ang mangyari, iaallow naman nila mga citizen nila makauwi pa rin subject to quarantine protocols.
"Sabi ko nga, if worst comes to worst, ang kailangan ko lang naman gawin mag-quaratine, e. Ang importante naman, kailangan ko bumalik sa Pilipinas."
From the U.K. to Manila
Glaiza documented her trip back to Manila in a vlog she posted on her YouTube channel.
The actress took a plane ride from Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, to London, the capital of England.
It was here in Belfast where David and Glaiza parted ways.
When Glaiza got to London, she decided to stay overnight in a hotel near the airport.
The following day, she went to Heathrow Airport, London's international airport.
But Glaiza was placed in a holding area to double check her swab results.
She said, "Kahit negative, kailangan na pala within 72 hours ang test dahil sa new UK variant, ginawa ko yung sa akin within 96 hours."
Good thing, she was allowed entry.
In the airplane, passengers were given an essentials kit that had gloves, face mask, hand sanitzer, and a snood or another layer of protective wear.
Glaiza had a layover in Abu Dhabi, where her swab results were questioned again, but she was eventually allowed to fly.
After eight hours of travel, the actress arrived in Manila.
She underwent two "mouth and nasal swab" before heading to her hotel.
Glaiza wrote in video's caption (published as is): "Kinailangan ko rin mag 14 day mandatory quarantine. Pero naglabas ulit ng bagong amendment on January 22 stating that arriving passengers shall be subject to the prescribed testing and quarantine protocols.
"Meaning, on the fifth day of my quarantine, kailangan ko ulit mag swab at after lumabas ng resulta, kung negative, pwede ka nang mag check out.
"Ilang beses ko itong tinanong sa mga staff sa airport ( mula sa isang staff ng Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Red Cross, Department of Tourism at staff sa hotel kung saan ako nag stay )
"As of this writing, I'm just waiting for my fifth day at hopefully makauwi narin."
Celebrating birthday with David
Glaiza was supposed to head back to Manila earlier in the month, but the All Out Sunday regular decided to extend her stay until her birthday week.
She said in the Zoom press conference: "Nag-decide ako na mag-extend sa Ireland kasi ayoko mag-birthday na nasa quarantine facility ako, so thankfully wala naman ako additional na cost. Naging okay naman din in terms of my schedule."
She celebrated her 33rd birthday on January 21 with David's family and friends.
"Simpleng celebration. A walk in the forest, 'tapos pagkain kasi mahilig maluto mom ni David. Pinagluto niya ako ng request ko, iyong meatball stew, kasi iyon iyong isa sa mga traditional Irish dishes na niluluto ng mommy niya.
"'Tapos pinagbake ako ng cake ng friend ni David, pinagbake din ako ng cake ng mom niya. One evening, bago kami mag-dinner, sinurprise nila ako. Na-touch naman ako."
Glaiza and David got engaged during her holiday in Northern Ireland. The actress announced the engagement on December 24, 2020.
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